ORD (Chicago) to SFO (San Francisco) flights arrive on time 73% of the time. The most reliable airline on this route is United Airlines at 76%. The average delay is 70 minutes. Delays on this route are most often caused by the incoming plane arriving late.
Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Updated October 2026.ORD → SFO
ORD (Chicago) to SFO (San Francisco)
ORD → SFO on-time performance by month
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JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Worse
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This route is delayed fairly often. About 73% of flights arrive on schedule.
Delays on this route are most often caused by the incoming plane arriving late.
Accurate?
United Airlines edges out Alaska Airlines on this route — 76% vs 68% on time.
Airline Comparison
United Airlines leads at 76% on time; Alaska Airlines trails at 68%.
Accurate?
Good to know
Departing from ORD
77% on timeExpect ~22 min sitting on the taxiway after your gate pushes back. ORD has long runway queues.
TSA is currently ~5 min. Best time: 4 AM (about 5 min).
Arriving at SFO
76% on timeWhen flights into SFO are late, the average delay is 69 minutes. Build buffer if you have ground plans.
If connecting at SFO: TSA is ~5 min right now. Allow at least 60 minutes for a domestic connection.
Flight cancelled or delayed?
Check what United Airlines owes you — refund rights, action plan, complaint email. Free.
Flying out of ORD? We'll brief you.
Delays, TSA, weather, gates — we'll let you know if something matters.
Know someone flying soon?
Send them the link — delay data, TSA waits, weather, all free.
Data last updated October 2026. Source: Bureau of Transportation Statistics.